Every week across Aotearoa, tamariki (young children) explore, imagine, climb, create, and connect through their local toy library. Powered primarily by volunteers, toy libraries provide affordable access to quality play. This helps strengthen whānau (family), build confidence, and create belonging in hapori (community).

As the national body for more than 160 toy libraries, the Toy Library Federation of New Zealand (TLFNZ) connects, supports, and advocates for this movement. We provide shared services, practical tools, insurance, resources, national campaigns, and a collective voice to help toy libraries deliver the lifelong benefits of play, reaching more than 19,000 tamariki nationwide.

Key benefits:

• Educational – children learn through play, especially in early years 

• Economic – toy libraries are a cheaper alternative to buying new and deliver job oppportunities

• Environmental – toy libraries reduce waste and promote circularity 

• Social – children and their growns ups value the community and connection toy libraries deliver. 

The toy library numbers:

• 160+ toy libraries across Aotearoa New Zealand

• 19,000+ tamariki accessing our toy libraries

• 12,000+ whānau accessing our toy libraries

• 900+ volunteer committee members operating

• 150+ paid staff (e.g. librarians)

• $7,000 the average our toy libraries receive in grants or fundraising efforts